Ginger and Turmeric

GingerThis is the root of a plant from the Zingiberaceae family, native to southern Asia. It is very aromatic, and is used as a spice in cooking and to prepare liqueurs and infusions. The health benefits of ginger have been borne out by modern scientific research. Ginger is excellent for regulating important health parameters, such as blood glucose levels and cholesterol. In both cases, the consumption of 2-3 g of this spice, in powder form, has been shown to lower glycaemia and harmful fats in the blood. Another advantage that the daily use of ginger can offer is that of providing relief for muscle and joint pain or inflammations and for menstrual cycle ailments. One research actually compared the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of ginger to that of a drug such as ibuprofen.

Turmeric

Used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine, curcuma is a spice abundant in properties that are beneficial to our health.

Turmeric, part of the Zingiberaceae family (the same as that of ginger and cardamom), also known as kurkum, “Indian saffron” or “poor man’s saffron”, is a spontaneous perennial that grows to a height of one metre. It is easily recognisable from its large leaves, large yellow flowers and of course its cylindrical, branching and orange-coloured rhizomes.

The root of the plant is the part that contains the beneficial properties, and is harvested in the autumn. It can be purchased fresh or dried and ground. Its main health benefits are as follows:Anti-inflammatory, depurative (helping the body to discharge toxins), choleretic (stimulatingbile secretion) antioxidant, anticancer (blocking the progression of tumour cells and preventing tumours of the colon, mouth, lungs, liver, skin, kidneys, breasts and leukaemia), remedial, digestive, neuroprotective (blocking neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease), immunostimulant, sebum-regulating and palliative (ideal for treating a number of dermatological complaints), antibacterial, antihistamine, cardiovascular protector (improves circulation, helps to regulate cholesterol and protects against heart attacks), carminative and anti-spasmatic (very usefulin countering abdominal bloating and regularising intestinal functions).